From Hartford · Shoreline on Route 156

This full-day version starts in Hartford. The first 47 miles go out on back roads, mostly CT-3, CT-82 and CT-156, to Old Lyme, where the good part begins. The core stretch, Shoreline on Route 156, runs 29 miles to Stonington.

The ride home is the quick way: 65 miles on CT-2, I-95 and I-395 back to Hartford. All in, it's about 141 miles and 4 hours in the saddle, before any stops for gas, food or photos. There's time to take it easy.

Full-day version that starts in Hartford: it adds the ride there and back to Shoreline on Route 156. Here is what you'll find on the core stretch:

The coastal option: from Old Lyme you follow CT-156 along Long Island Sound through Niantic to Waterford, cross the Thames River to Groton and finish in Mystic and Stonington. It's a ride for views and stops, with Mystic as the lunch destination. The New London to Groton crossing uses the I-95 bridge. Summer brings heavy traffic and lights on US-1, so go early or off-season.